Scout leader recovers after setting pole trek record

A 23-year-old scout leader was recovering today after he set a new world record as the youngest person to trek to the South Pole.

Andrew Cooney walked for three weeks through snowstorms, enduring a shoulder injury and braving temperatures as low as minus 52 degrees Celsius to complete the gruelling 730-mile trek.

Parents Terry and Marilyn waited anxiously with close friends at the family home in Thurgarton, near Nottingham, for the satellite phone call to announce he had arrived safe and well.

When the call came at 7.59pm last night it was greeted with cheers, clapping and bottles of champagne were opened in celebration.

Mr Cooney said: "The moment I set foot on the pole will live with me forever.

"Antarctica's awesome beauty and the realisation of what we had just done all seemed to come together in the same instant.

"So, too, did my thoughts of those people in Britain who have been supporting me and praying for me through all the highs and lows."

His father Terry said the expedition would raise awareness of oesophageal cancer,

adding: "Currently there is no way to fight the disease except through radical surgery which must be carried out as soon as the symptoms are noticed.

"We believe Andrew's extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of the disease could help save many lives.

"We couldn't be more proud of him."

Andrew Cooney will have to wait for the right weather conditions before he will be able to catch a flight off the polar ice cap. He is hoping to be back in Britain by January 12.

Cooney, a Territorial Army lieutenant, began his five-week trek on November 11.

Since then he has endured altitude sickness while climbing up a polar glacier and suffered a shoulder injury after slipping on ice.

Despite this, he completed his epic journey while dragging a 200lb sledge two weeks ahead of schedule.

The achievement means another adventurer, 27-year-old Tom Avery, who reached the Pole last week, loses the title of being the youngest Briton to make the journey.

Standing exhausted but triumphant, Cooney spoke by satellite telephone to his parents and younger brother Ian about his experiences.

Speaking after his son's call, Mr Cooney senior, 53, said: "We're very proud of him and his achievement. I think it will take quite a while for it to sink in.

"He sounded quite tired on the phone but we're absolutely thrilled that he has made it."

His mother, Marilyn, 53, added: "It's been quite a struggle but I'm really pleased he has finally arrived. Now I'm just looking forward to him coming home."

Cooney, who was joined on the trip by Graham Stonehouse from London, woman explorer Matty McNair, assistant guide Devon McDiarmid and Spaniards Guillermo Banales and Angel Naves, sounded tired during the call and said the final few hours had been hard work.

Despite their son's achievement, the Cooney family has spent about £30,000 funding the expedition after a sponsor withdrew at the last moment.

Cooney had been hoping to raise £10,000 for research into oesophageal cancer, which his father contracted five years ago.

Cooney is expected to fly into Heathrow airport some time in the next week.

Fiona Thornewill, the first woman to walk to the North and South Pole, congratulated Cooney on his new record.

Thornewill, who lives in the same village as Cooney, said: "Andrew's achievement is considerable. Few people of his age have the maturity and determination to raise the funds required and then commit to such a tough challenge."

Further details for anyone interested in sponsoring the trek or donating money to oesophageal cancer research and support can be found on the website